Health Care Assistant (HCA) | Certificate

Certificate

For information on Northern Health's Health Career Access Program please see the HCAP tab.

Train to become a front line care provider and valuable member of a health care team.

The HCA Program is designed to provide students with opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to function effectively as front‐line care-givers and respected members of the health care team. Under the direction and supervision of a health professional, graduates provide person-centred care aimed at promoting and maintaining the physical, emotional, cognitive and social well-being of clients.

This program combines theory, lab study and practice experience.

The Health Care Assistant program provides opportunities to develop knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to provide professional care to the elderly and those facing other health or illness challenges.

Upon completion of the program, graduates are prepared to work in a variety of practice settings including home support, assisted living, residential/complex care, special care units, other home and community care settings and acute care.

Student practice experiences are an integral part of the program. Clinical practice experiences occur outside of the college setting. While the majority of practice placements are in centers close to CMTN campus communities, it may be necessary to utilize agencies in other Northwest communities. Students must arrange their own transportation to and from practice experience sites and assume related costs. Students may be required to work a variety of shifts (e.g. four-, six-, eight- and/or 12-hour shifts, including days, evenings, nights, and weekends.)

Successful graduates will earn a HEALTH CARE ASSISTANT CERTIFICATE and are eligible for registration with the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry.

Dual credit opportunity
The HCA program is eligible for dual credit, which is an opportunity for high school students to start college programs while still in high school. Students receive credit toward their high school diploma, while also earning post-secondary credits. Dual credit students are also supported by their home school district, which pays the program tuition for the student.

Each school district has a different application process for dual credit. High school students and parents are strongly encouraged to talk to a career counselor at their school district to find out details about the dual credit program and specific application requirements.

Apply to CMTN

Visit Apply to CMTN for an Admissions Checklist and to apply online.

Our Educational Advisors are here to help if you have any questions or need guidance along the way.

Dates and locations

For upcoming intakes for the Health Career Access Program please see the HCAP tab.

Dates and Locations
Intake	Location
Please see HCAP tab for future HCA offerings	Various

The program is offered at other campuses subject to public demand and sponsor funding. Contact an Educational Advisor for more information on intake dates and locations.

Health Career Access Program (HCAP)

Coast Mountain College is collaborating with the Northern Health Authority to develop a delivery plan that will meet the strong demand for Health Care Assistants in our region.

Northern Health will provide CMTN with HCAP participants from their staffing pool (a combination of existing/internal staff and new/external hires).
Participants will be full-time employees of Northern Health, working part-time in Health Care Support Worker positions while participating part-time in this program.
HCAP is a paid pathway. Participants will be receiving a stipend as learners in the Health Care Assistant program and compensated as Health Care Support Workers. Tuition and program fees are also covered by the Ministry.

Eligibility and how to apply

For additional information regarding this training initiative, including eligibility requirements and how to apply, please review the following resources:

Join the Health Career Access Program (Government of B.C. website)
Northern Health Heath Careers Access Program FAQs [PDF]

Intakes and locations

Our blended online, face-to-face teaching and learning model will provide access to learners across the Northwest, including:

Masset
Queen Charlotte
Prince Rupert
Terrace
Kitimat
Hazelton
Smithers
Houston

To meet the individual needs of the Northern Health Authority, CMTN is planning to deliver five Health Care Assistant offerings between April 2021 and February 2023:

Delivery	Start date	End date	Locations for face-to-face instruction
1*	April 26, 2021	February 13, 2022	Terrace, Smithers, Prince Rupert
2*	July 28, 2021	April 23, 2022	Terrace, Smithers, Kitimat
3*	October 25, 2021	July 17, 2022	Terrace, Kitimat, Prince Rupert
4*	April 25, 2022	December 11, 2022	Kitimat, Smithers, Terrace
5*	February 20, 2023	October 27, 2023	Terrace, Smithers, Prince Rupert.
6*	September 18, 2023	May 31, 2024	Terrace, Smithers, Prince Rupert.

*Dates and locations may be subject to change. HCAP 5 offering orientation on February 13, 2023.

Each offering will be eight months in duration. 24 seats will be available in each of the five offerings.

Each offering will be delivered via a part-time, blended teaching and learning model. Theory courses along with a portion of the program's laboratory course will be delivered online with learners able to complete their studies from their home community. The remaining portions of the program's laboratory courses and clinical placements will be delivered via face-to-face teaching and learning across four host communities, three per offerings. Host communities (Prince Rupert, Terrace, Kitimat & Smithers) were identified based on their ability to meet complex care placement requirements.

To achieve and maintain student success, CMTN and Northern Health have established a Student Success plan that includes tutoring services, personal progress reporting, and opportunities for re-enrollment into the pathway during the initiative.

Minimum computer hardware specifications to successfully complete the program:

4th generation (4000 series) Intel Core i3 / i5 / i7 and newer or AMD equivalent (Check your Computer Hardware) (Apple computers from 2013+)
4GB of Memory (RAM)
Intel HD Graphics 3000 or better - Minimum supported screen resolution 1024x768.
Web Camera & Microphone

Contact

If you require further information about the HCAP program, please contact:

HCAP@northernhealth.ca

PROGRAM RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS

Students must complete a minimum of 50% of the program hours at Coast Mountain College.

The Health Care Assistant program requires students to achieve 70% (B-) or higher in every theory course and CR (credit) grade in HCAS 1070 and practical experience courses (HCAS 1080, HCAS 1090 and HCAS 1100) to continue in the program and receive their credential.

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
HCAS 1010	Health & Healing: Concepts for Practice	2.5
HCAS 1020	Health Care Assistant: Intro to Practice	1
HCAS 1030	Health 1: Interpersonal Communications	1.5
HCAS 1040	Health 2: Lifestyles and Choices	1
HCAS 1050	Healing 1: Caring for Individuals Experi	4
HCAS 1060	Heal 2 Cognitive or Mental challenges	2
HCAS 1070	Healing 3: Personal Care & Assistance	4
HCAS 1080	Practice Experience in Multi-Level Care	6
HCAS 1090	Practice in Home Support/Assisted Living	2
HCAS 1100	Transition to Practice Experience	2
Total Credits		26

In Winter 2021 we offer the theory portion of this program via Distributed Learning where we use various tools that may include email, web-conferencing platforms, online videos, social media, textbooks, print modules, local contexts and experiential tasks. Learn more about Distributed Learning at CMTN. Lab and clinical courses will require in person attendance and are currently scheduled as follows: HCAS 107 Lab June 03-June 18, HCAS 109 Clinical June 21-July 23, HCAS 108 & HCAS 110 Juy 26- Aug 21st. Please indicate on your application which location (Terrace or Kitimat) you will be attending for the Lab and clinical portions.

Prior to applying, please review the Health Care Assistant Program Expectations [PDF].

Important documents

Apply for Admission

Admission requirements

Students are accepted into the program once all Step 1 documentation has been received, on a first-come, first-served basis, and will be invited to register. Step 2 documentation is required for practice education experiences. Prior to the first day of Lab class (HCAS 1070), students are expected to submit all Step 2 documents. Students who fail to submit any Step 2 documentation will be prohibited from attending practice education experiences.

Step 1: Required for admission and registration

Grade 12 graduation, or 19 years of age or older, or dual credit student
English 11 or equivalent
A complete English Competency Self-Declaration Form [PDF].

Applicants with less than seven years of education in an English-speaking environment, and/or less than four consecutive years of education in an English-speaking environment at the secondary or post-secondary level will require one of the following standardized English language proficiency tests as set by the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry.

Step 2: Required for practice education experiences. Students who fail to submit any Step 2 documentation will be prohibited from attending practice education experiences.

FOODSAFE: All students must present evidence of current FOODSAFE level 1 prior to entering classes. Please refer to Health Care registry Website for the acceptable courses.

CPR Level C: Applicants must provide evidence of successful completion of CPR level C no more than 12 months before admission.

First Aid: Applicants must provide evidence of successful completion of one of the following First Aid courses no more than 12 months before admission:

Standard First-Aid
Emergency First Aid – Community Care
Emergency First Aid for Industry
WorkSafe BC OFA Level 1

Criminal Record Check: check (including advanced vulnerable populations) under the Criminal Records Review Act and the Ministry of Justice process for educational institutions. Applicants should only initiate their criminal record check when instructed by Admissions. Please note: Any changes to your criminal record status or events occurring that will impact your criminal record must be reported in writing to the program Dean. Some events may impact your ability to attend clinical or practicum settings. The implications of failing to report changes, as a student, can result in program failure.
Proof of Current Immunizations / Vaccinations/TB skin test:
Immunizations as outlined in the Practice Education Guidelines and recommended by the BC Centre for Disease Control (2013): diphtheria and tetanus, polio, hepatitis B, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), varicella and influenza. Negative TB skin test or chest x-ray. (http://www.hspcanada.net/docs/PEG/1_3_Immunization.pdf)

*Students who do not meet the immunization requirements may be prohibited from attending practice education experiences.

Fees Vocational/Applied Programs
Fees	Domestic	International
Full Time:	29 Weeks	29 Weeks
Tuition:	$2,108.30	$9,708.33
Student Union Fees:¹	$93.28	$93.28
Mandatory Fees:	$653.08	$702.66
Extended Health and Dental*:	$275.00	$585.82
Total Tuition:	$3,129.66	$11,071.50
Additional Costs:
Books:²	$450.00	$450.00
Supplies/Clothing:²	$300.00	$300.00
Fieldwork/Practicum:³	$200.00	$200.00
Mandatory Certificates:⁴	$425.00	$425.00
*Total Program Cost:	$4,504.66	$12,446.50

¹: These fees are term based and may vary due to the length of the program.
²: Please note that these are approximate costs and may vary depending on courses taken.
³: Costs will vary depending on the location of practicum. Students are responsible for any required accommodations, food, or other travel expenses.
⁴: Please review admission requirements for mandatory certificates. These certificates are required before participating in a clinical setting. Fees are approximate and may vary.

Fees are effective as of August 1, 2023 for the 2023/24 academic year.

The Coast Mountain Students Union (CMSU) is pleased to offer Extended Health and Dental Insurance to all qualifying members. The plan is mandatory for all students enrolled in 6 or more credits or a trades program of 26 weeks or longer. Some students, including those studying overseas and those with existing extended health coverage, are eligible to opt out. Visit https://cmsu.studenthealthbc.ca/ to learn more about the plan or request to opt out. You will also receive a detailed introductory email no later than 6 weeks after your semester starts. For any inquiries about the plan, please contact the Students’ Union Organiser : Golnoosh Namazi, organiser@mycmsu.ca

Basic Health insurance is mandatory for all international students. Health insurance costs will be charged every term until students provide proof of MSP.

Career opportunities

Graduates are qualified to work as frontline care providers in a variety of settings including:

Client's home
Adult day care
Assisted living
Complex care facilities

Learners should be aware that some employers require Grade 12 or equivalent for hire. Dual Credit students are not eligible to work in the Community setting until they reach 19 years of age.

The CMTN Access to Practical Nursing program creates laddering opportunities to a Practical Nursing Diploma.

Academic Catalogue